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Black keeping an eye on Thatcher

Black keeping an eye on Thatcher

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LOS ANGELES -- Left-handed reliever Joe Thatcher likely isn't available on Wednesday night against the Dodgers after he was removed from a 12-inning loss to the Giants Tuesday night because of discomfort in the lower left side of his back.

Thatcher worked around a single and a hit batsmen in the 11th inning at PETCO Park, but he didn't feel right heading back out for the 12th. He got one out in the inning, and then was pulled for losing pitcher Cesar Ramos, a move Thatcher called "more of a precaution."

Manager Bud Black didn't think Thatcher looked right and, with the game in extra innings, did not want to chance leaving him in.

"That's not normal behavior on the mound, when a guy stretches and grimaces on the mound and then says, 'I'm fine,'" Black said. "Let's say he faces [the next batter, Juan Uribe], and Uribe hits a homer. I would've said, 'Why'd I leave Joe in?'"

Thatcher has a 3.60 ERA and no decisions in five innings over nine appearances.